Safety & Accident

Safety Tip: Emergency First Aid

Each year, thousands of Americans suffer injuries in traffic collisions. Would you know what to do if you were involved in — or unexpectedly came across — a crash in which someone else was injured but emergency services hadn’t yet arrived?

After you call 911 for help, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles recommends the following measures:

Don’t move an injured person unless absolutely necessary. If you must move someone because of a life-threatening situation, fully support the person’s head and spine.

Check to see if the person is breathing. If the person is not breathing and you are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), begin performing CPR immediately. (To find a CPR class near you, click here. To view an American Red Cross/Howcast video explaining how to perform hands-only CPR, click on the photo or link below the headline.)

If the person is bleeding, put pressure directly on the wound. Maintain pressure until help arrives.

Cover the injured person with a blanket or coat to provide warmth and prevent shock.